31 March 2020
I want to start by thanking all those members of our Trust family working on the NHS frontline. It’s very humbling knowing the people who make such a difference on our trips every summer are out there making an immeasurable difference to saving lives right now.
In the past fortnight, the Trust’s offices have expanded from two in Cowes and Largs to almost 20, as everyone has set up shop at home. And it has been full steam ahead adapting to what this unique situation has thrown our way.
Instead of spinning round in our chairs to ask someone a question or meeting face-to-face, Zoom has become our virtual reality. As a charity operating from the Isle of Wight and Scotland, we already worked collaboratively in ‘the cloud’, but we’ve probably seen more of each other – albeit digitally – than ever before.
The messages and support we’ve received from within the Trust community and beyond are so appreciated, and it’s made such a difference to the team, not only in many real, practical ways but also in terms of morale. If a time has ever underlined just what the Trust means to people that time is now.
So many of our funders have been so generous in the flexibility of their support for the rest of this year, and I must give a special nod to the Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO) for everything they are doing in what is unquestionably the most challenging period I’ve experienced during my almost 15 years as CEO.
And at the time of year when our season is usually beginning to feel very real, we’ve had to have tough conversations with some of our superb skippers and volunteers. Yet every single one of them has been unequivocal in their understanding and support.
2020 may be panning out differently than we expected, but the team have been embracing the new opportunities this situation has thrown up. We’re as busy as ever trying to ensure the Trust family remains there in whatever way and whenever people might need it. We’re not losing our sense of community just because we aren’t currently on the water.
For example, our first virtual event - Step Up for the Trust – is underway to help people keep their heart and head healthy at home while supporting young people to rebuild their lives after cancer. It only costs £5 so sign up and get involved! Meanwhile, we’ve launched our new TikTok and Snapchat to make sure the fun of the Trust remains front and centre, even if we’re not sailing yet. The team are enjoying the chance to practice their lip-synching and finding those flattering filters. Give them a follow.
In the coming days, weeks and months, you will have the chance to get involved in so many different things; from online Trust social hangouts (we’re talking quizzes and film nights to art workshops and yoga) to expert ‘How To’ blogs and videos from our wider Trust team. Our volunteers and young people will also have the chance to catch up on some training online and even get shore-based RYA qualifications.
And of course we’ll be continuing to fundraise hard, encouraging people to get creative and look at different ways to support the Trust during a unique time. Here’s some inspiration as to what you could do right now. Because we do still need your support.
None of us know how this is going to pan out. As it stands our trips are postponed until mid-July. We know we could well have more hard decisions to make in the weeks ahead. But we now have time to take a breath and make measured and thoughtful decisions, and as I stressed before, all decisions will be made with the young people and the wider Trust family as the most important considerations.
So thank you again for everything you’ve done so far and if there is something more you can do, please consider doing it. Being part of the Trust family has helped me as much as anybody over the past couple of weeks so let’s keep looking after each other.
Frank Fletcher, CEO